Category Archives: Community Notes

Hey Kids – It’s Time to Act Out in Newton!

Newton Freelance Troupe Enrolling Youth for Spring Season!

Hey kids – Waiting for that big moment on stage?! Come join the fun and get that chance! The Freelance Players, Inc., a musical theater company for young people founded in 1973, is now enrolling for its spring season. Children from all communities are encouraged to join!

The Newton Freelance Troupe meets on Mondays and is for children ages 8-12 with little or no acting experience. The Troupe produces one original musical each season. The spring season starts with auditions for new members – by appointment – on Monday, February 3rd. Physical and vocal techniques, drama improvisation, dance, auditioning, and singing are part of the rehearsal process. Theater professionals staff the company. The programs are tuition based and some financial assistance is available.

There are also Freelance Troupes in Newton (Mondays), Cambridge and Jamaica Plain (Tuesdays), Brookline and Needham (Fridays).

The Freelance Players is for older students, ages 12-16 and mounts larger scale musicals twice a year (December and May). The Players meet on Wednesdays at the Driscoll School and begins the spring season on Wednesday Jan. 22nd.

For more information or to schedule a first meeting, call 617-232-1175. The Freelance Players, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.  www.freelanceplayers.org  .

Rhythmic gymnastics, dance, and ballet

Rhythmic Dreams is pleased to offer a full day February vacation program (February 17th- 21st)  focusing on teaching rhythmic gymnastics, dance and ballet to girls ages 5 to 18. Full day (8:30 am – 5:00 pm) or half day (4 hours morning or afternoon) are available.

The program will include flexibility and strength training, apparatus handling with balls, hoops, ribbons, ropes and clubs and basic dance and ballet technique. Two workouts each day complemented by free time, games, arts and crafts during the lunch break. All levels of experience are welcome! Classes are held in the West Newton Armory. For more details please email info@rhythmicdreams.com or call 617-233-4493.

Know someone thinking about college?

Tracey Hyams is a private college admissions counselor offering expert guidance to students and families from Newton and surrounding communities. Using creativity, sensitivity, and humor, Tracey partners with families to maximize acceptances at colleges where students will shine. Excellent references from Newton families.

Services include:
· Academic and extracurricular planning
· Identifying “best fit” colleges based on students’ interests, strengths, and goals
· Understanding the admissions process and colleges’ priorities
· “Branding” the application
· Writing authentic and beautifully-crafted essays
· Planning helpful campus visits
· Creating portfolios and resumes
· Managing schedules, timelines and deadlines
· Developing relationships and demonstrating interest

Hourly rates and comprehensive packages are available. Contact info:
Tracey Hyams / College Advisor
Website: www.TraceyHyams.com
Email: TraceyHyams@gmail.com
Phone: 617-699-4704

Teen Events – Newton Free Library

Mother-Daughter Book Club with Holly Thompson, Author, January 28th, 7:00 pm. Meet in the second floor Teen Area for a lively discussion of The Language Inside by Holly Thompson. The author will be visiting to discuss her book with the group! All are welcome (even if you’ve never been to the book club!).

Teen Crafternoons, Tuesday, January 21st and February 4th, 3:30 pm
Get creative  in the second floor Teen Area of the Newton Free Library where teen can work on crafts and eat snacks. On January 21st, it will be working on some basics of bookbinding and on February 4th, hanging out working on Valentine’s day hearts and crafts.

Get Hooked: Knitting and Crochet Club, Thursday, February 6th, 7:00 pm
Meet up in the second floor Teen Area of the Newton Free Library for the ongoing Knitting and Crochet Club. The club meets the first Thursday of the month. They provide crochet hooks, knitting needles, yarn and the know-how to teach the basics of crocheting. You are welcome to bring your own project, share ideas and conversation. Refreshments will be served. Open to ages 10 and up.

Intro to the College Process, Monday, February 10, 7:00 pm
Please join a college workshop on Monday, February 10th, 7:00 pm in Druker Auditorium at the Newton Free Library. The program is aimed at students (especially Juniors) and parents. Students; is there such a thing as a “perfect fit”? How do you start your exploration and what really matters as you launch the college search and application process? Parents; what role should you play on this journey? How can you provide support, knowing how important it is for your children to take charge and make choices for themselves? Cory Alperstein, founder and principal of Future Choice College Consulting, will explore these questions and discuss some specific strategies to help your family survive the admissions process with positive outcomes for everyone involved! Ms. Alperstein will also cover stress reduction including how making choices early about academic, extra-curricular and social life is key to managing stress when the application process really begins. Bring your sense of humor!

Any questions please call Liz, the Teen Librarian, at 617-796-138 or email teens@newtonfreelibrary.net

Piano Lessons

Gloria Jasinski, Bachelor of Music in Composition from Berklee College of Music, Master of Music in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory with 30+ years teaching experience. Learn Jazz/Blues/Classical, theory, sightreading. Build a high quality musical foundation with a patient, upbeat, and caring instructor. Beginners especially welcome. Have a positive and successful learning experience. Phone: 617-566-9704 or email: piano566@comcast.net.

Children’s Art Classes

The Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown still has space in some of the children’s winter art classes:

For K-1: Possibly Picasso – Art Around the World
For grades 2 – 4: Clay Projects – Mixed Media
For grades 5 – 8: Wheelthrowing
Also available, a Parent & Toddler class on Thursday mornings

Visit www.arsenalarts.org/education to read the details, and call 617-923-0100, ext. 8309 to register.

Teen Summer Program Expo

Newton South High School again hosts the annual Teen Summer Program Expo on February 3rd in the cafeteria. Admission is free.

If your teenager needs an enriching and rewarding summer experience, don’t miss this great opportunity to meet personally with directors of more than 80 of the best summer programs in both the U.S. and abroad. There is a wide variety of programs in locations all over the world and at every budget level, including academic enrichment, adventure travel, community service, environmental and ecology, internships, intensive sport instruction, language immersion, arts/theatre/music, college prep and gap year programs.

The Expo can help you efficiently cut through the overwhelming amount of information online and make an informed decision about programming, safety, and supervision. Bring friends if your kids want to find a program together! For more information contact Laura@CampSourceNetwork.com or call 617-244-3316.

February 3rd from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Newton South High School cafeteria
Snow date will be Tuesday, February 4

Bring more joy to your parenting in 2014!

Join other parents along with Cindy Kaplan, MA Parent Coach, to explore the eight principles from the book Confident Parents Remarkable Kids by Bonnie Harris. These guidelines will help you focus on your children’s capabilities and strengths as well as helping you find ways, even in the most challenging moments, to connect with your children so that you can engage with them to problem-solve rather than punish, and allow them to be accountable for their actions.

Fee is $200 for the series. To inquire and/or to register contact Cindy at cindy@cindykcoaching.com or 617-869-3305.

Mondays from 7:00 -9:00 pm
February 3rd – March 31st (skipping 2/17)
at Mind Your Body Wellness, Newtonville